HFMD in Malaysia

[Shiloh]

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/2/nation/20090102172505&sec=nation

Updated: Friday January 2, 2009 MYT 7:54:04 PM
Sarawak braces for HFMD
By JACK WONG

KUCHING: Sarawak, which recorded nearly a 60% jump in the number of hand, foot and mouth disease to 10,505 cases last year, has warned that the worst is yet to come.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said the rising trend was expected to peak in March or April. There were 6,571 cases in the state in 2007.

?Although no death was reported reported last year, parents must take the disease seriously,? he told reporters after being briefed by senior medical officials at his office at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here on Friday.

Dr Chan said 1,513 children were admitted to the hospitals statewide last year, and 14 were still warded.

He said due to the proactive steps taken by the health authorities, 28 children who were seriously ill by the disease had all recovered.

Last year, Kuching Division topped the list with 3,295 cases (2,015 in 2007), followed by Miri and Sibu with 1,608 and 1,572 cases respectively.

Dr Chan urged parents not to be complacent if their children were down with the disease. He said the children must be sent for treatment.

He said the disease, especially the EV 71 virus, was very dangerous and could cause death.

The disease killed more than 30 children during a major outbreak several years ago.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: HFMD in Malaysia

Source: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=425361

July 14, 2009 21:56 PM

Sarawak Braces For HFMD

KUCHING, July 14 (Bernama) - Despite the steep rise in the number of cases reported in the first six months this year, the hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Sarawak is still under control, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan said Tuesday.

He said the number of HFMD cases reported this year had jumped to 8,205 cases compared to 2,428 cases last year.

"Based on the cycle of the HFMD outbreak, which occurs every three years in the state, it is predicted another outbreak may strike again this year.

"We hope the number of HFMD cases will continue to go down. Parents must take the disease seriously and practice good hygiene to reduce the transmission," he told reporters at a press conference here.

Dr Chan, who is also the state Natural Disaster and Relief Committee chairman, said there were few serious cases reported but no death this year.

He said HFMD, especially the EV71 virus, was very dangerous and could cause death. The EV71 virus killed more than 30 children in 1997.

"Early detection and treatment can save the child's life," he said.

The sentinel surveillance programme conducted by the Sarawak Health Department and Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), had found an outbreak of HFMD every three years in Sarawak - 1997, 2000, 2003, and 2006.

-- BERNAMA